FORT GREENE — A pigeon that has attended every Community Board 2 meeting since March was appointed Tuesday to a nonvoting seat, after the nominating committee admitted it could not remember the last time a human stayed for the full agenda.

The bird, referred to in the minutes as Member At-Large, usually arrives during roll call and settles on the windowsill behind the committee on land use. Colleagues describe it as attentive. It faces the speaker. It does not sigh. When the conversation turns to sidewalk cafes it occasionally walks the length of the sill, which veterans of the board interpreted as a comment.

“It’s the only member who actually listens,” said the chair, who then clarified that she meant no offense to the members who listen “in a more interior way.” The appointment passed 28 to 4, with one abstention from a member who said he was uncomfortable voting on anyone he had not personally met at a fundraiser.

It has never once checked its phone.”— A board member, envious

Questions remain about the pigeon’s position on bike lanes. It has been observed standing in them, which some members took as opposition and others as a demonstration of use. A spokesperson for the bird declined to clarify, on the grounds that the spokesperson is the same reporter writing this sentence and the bird has flown off.

The new member will be issued a name placard and a paper cup of water. It is not expected to join the group text. The chair said that alone puts it ahead of several people who were technically appointed in 2019 and have not been seen since the meeting where someone brought cookies. ◆